I. ˈtenyə(r) also -ˌnyu̇(ə)r or -u̇ə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French teneüre, tenure, from Medieval Latin tenitura, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin tenitus (past participle of Latin tenēre to hold) + Latin -ura -ure — more at thin
1.
a.
(1) : the act or right of holding property especially real estate
land tenure is a leading political issue in many parts of the world
(2) English law : the holding of an estate of a superior
b. : the manner of holding property : the title and conditions by which property is held
tenure by knight service
tenure by fee simple absolute
2. : estate , holding
like most Old English leaseholds, the tenures … created were limited to three lives — F.M.Stenton
3.
a. : the act, action, or a means of holding something : grasp , hold
the uncertain tenure which mere military demonstrations in force gave her over a proud people — John Buchan
hope that you will hold your place in company by a nobler tenure — Earl of Chesterfield
trousers held, apparently, by a very insecure tenure — Rachel Henning
b. : manner, condition, or term of holding something
the great limitations just indicated affect the tenure of this power — C.H.McIlwain
spends his tenure of office fighting for time to assess facts and to think — Dorothy Fosdick
c. : a status granted usually after a probationary period to one holding a position especially as a teacher and protecting him from dismissal except for serious misconduct or incompetence determined by formal hearings or trial : permanent tenure
II. ˈtenyə(r)
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of tenour tenor
archaic
variant of tenor